Grateful to finally have interviews but I've used up all my PTO time including medical and dental appointments to complete the early rounds, what else can I do?...I've been struggling at a job that I've longed to leave for few months due to a toxic work situation.

25 Comments

1. AnonymousDecember 5,2023 at 2:28AM UTC

   I don’t have a specific answer but I pray a way will be made clear for you to finish interviewing and get the right job with the right company in Jesus’ name Amen!

2. Ms. S.December 8,2023 at 11:22PM UTC

   Amen.

3. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistDecember 5,2023 at 2:35AM UTC

   PTO is paid time off. What about taking unpaid time off. I know it's not ideal but missing a couple of afternoon's pay is better than no paycheck that you get with resigning. I recommend you acquire some sort of medical issue or dental issue that requires ongoing "treatment".

4. AnonymousDecember 9,2023 at 4:21PM UTC

   Taking unpaid leave is fine until you've gone through several rounds with several companies and don't get an offer. Having been in this situation myself, I request early interviews that I do before my current job, or an early evening interview that I can do after I'm off. An interview is not a promise and for people who are doing multiple interviews, it's simply unrealistic to use up all your PTO and/or take unpaid leave for them.

5. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistDecember 9,2023 at 9:04PM UTC

   Yes but the OP specifically said " feel strongly about the roles but since I'm at the stage with senior members before the holidays, they don't have flexibility with their schedules. I've tried a few rounds with before and after work but these later rounds seem to be less flexible when it's with larger groups. "

   So she has tried that and is specifically looking for other options.

   And she's right, if you're meeting with multiple people - which is common in later rounds - it's much harder to get all those folks to agree to - and be able to - either come in early or stay later.

   In the OP's case, it's not "simply unrealistic to use up all your PTO and/or take unpaid leave for them." - it's an actual fact. She states she has "used up all my PTO time including medical and dental appointments"

6. AnonymousDecember 5,2023 at 6:33PM UTC

   Call out the day of. take an unpaid day. dont answer your phone or email when they try to guilt you into coming in. Also check the labor laws in your state/country. It may be illegal for them to bar you from having a lunchbreak.

7. GirlBossanova934974December 6,2023 at 2:08PM UTC

   As one reader has already commented, take a half day off with unpaid leave. Try to do some "back to back" interviews.

   One interview at maybe 9AM and then another one at 11AM. Try and push the companies to do VIDEO interviews so you can do this from home. Then when the last interview is over, have the car ready to go so you make it back to the office by 1PM when everyone else is coming back from lunch. PS: I have done this before and it worked!

8. AnonymousDecember 8,2023 at 3:34PM UTC

   I agree, but take the full day and call out sick. If you take half and plan to go in, you will be stressed about getting there on time. If you plan on leaving early, you may run into an issue and be late.

9. Farhana BushunkaDecember 6,2023 at 4:27PM UTC

   I would call in sick and take unpaid leave

10. Mercedes OlivaresDecember 7,2023 at 1:34PM UTC

    Take sick days and hang in there! Best of luck!

11. AnonymousDecember 7,2023 at 1:46PM UTC

    What is more important? Staying at a toxic workplace that does not allow you a lunch break or taking uplaid leave to find a better job?

12. AnonymousDecember 9,2023 at 1:43PM UTC

    That can depend on someone's financial situation. I was in a toxic job struggling paycheck to paycheck and would have chosen pay out of necessity every time.

13. KittyDecember 7,2023 at 2:34PM UTC

    If you need the money I would try to get the interviews after work- let them know your schedule is very busy and you just don’t have any time during the day. The way hiring is these days it is a toss up who they will offer the position to- wishing you the very best of luck-

14. AnonymousDecember 9,2023 at 1:48PM UTC

    I would not tell them busy. I would tell the place I'm interviewing that I have no more PTO left currently due to interviewing and that during the workday when I've blocked time on my calendar (even lunch), my company has a tendency to then schedule mandatory meetings that lead to needing to reschedule those interviews. You want to respect the interviewers' time by avoiding that situation and (ask if they have ANY ability to make the interview time before or after work).

    That's not really badmouthing your current job; anyone with half a brain will understand you're trying to leave a toxic situation and trying to be professional and discreet about discussing it.

15. Laura KuhlDecember 8,2023 at 1:06PM UTC

    Is there someone at your current job that you trust to share your situation with who might be willing to donate pto to you? Just a thought!

16. AnonymousDecember 8,2023 at 1:22PM UTC

    I see a few commenters urging you to take unpaid time off....I wouldn't suggest that as even paid time off is something that has to be requested and/or approved at quite a few companies. I would suggest to call in sick, but be very careful with this approach. If it happens too often they may require a doctor's note. I want to add this is a great problem for you to have. So many posters are saying that they can't even get a callback let alone an interview. Hopefully this situation is temporary and you find something that you love or can tolerate more than the position you're currently....lol

17. MichaelaDecember 8,2023 at 1:29PM UTC

    Goodness, where in the world is it legal for your company to NOT LET you take a lunch break? Is this just a sign of your toxic workplace rather than a norm where you are?

18. AnonymousDecember 8,2023 at 2:35PM UTC

    I would be honest with the hiring manager and let them know your situation. Since there isn't a guarantee that you'll get the job, they should be a bit understanding. I would also ask how many rounds are left.

    Are you onsite? or WFH? if you're working from home...pull the plug on your router and let your job know you've lost connection and you're on the phone with the company trying to resolve it.

    if you're on site, tell them your car started smoking, you think its your radiator and you're waiting for a tow.

19. Janet ParkhurstDecember 14,2023 at 4:10AM UTC

    Love your creativity!

20. AnonymousDecember 8,2023 at 3:45PM UTC

    Since, it's a toxic work environment, you can file a complaint with the EEOC, which I would highly recommend doing if you are in the United States, since I'm most concerned that they are trying to force you out through any means necessary.

    My last traditional employer was an extremely hostile work environment with lots of bullying by other employees and upper management, HR knew what was happening and refused to do anything about it. I started to document everything that happened, in a personal app on my phone that wasn't visible from any of my screens on my personal cell phone, as my former employer was known to demand access without cause to see what was on our personal cell phones. When I'd get home at the end of the day, I'd put everything into a written document and save it to my personal computer, and print out a copy to keep in a binder, too. I was eventually wrongfully terminated, however, since I had everything documented, including the fact that I had filed an EEOC complaint against my former employer, I was able to prove that my former employer had lied to my State's unemployment office about me being terminated for cause, when they had actually wrongfully terminated me because I was disabled after I had worked there for over 15 years in the same location. Eventually, I received a small settlement with the EEOC's help from my former employer, and I used the money to start my own small business. I'm much happier now working for myself.

    I'd highly recommend that you document everything that has happened to you, like I did, as you may need it as evidence later on down the road to protect your legal rights. I'd recommend keeping a written record at home, and if you can keep hidden notes in your personal cellphone in an app that isn't easily viewable to your employer.

21. AnonymousDecember 8,2023 at 5:58PM UTC

    If it were me, I would contact HR immediately! Let them know you are not being allowed to take a lunch break or even 15 minute breaks and you have used up all of your sick and vacation time, trying to allow yourself a few minutes to rest. This is unacceptable! I have never heard of a company that would not allow you to take a lunch break.

22. LORI-ANN BURLINGAMEDecember 8,2023 at 6:14PM UTC

    Did the interviewing companies offer evening interviewing hours? If not, this would be a red flag to me. The way they treat you as an applicant is the way they will treat you as an employee. In addition, do not give notice at your current job until you have a written job offer in-hand. Good luck!

23. AnonymousDecember 9,2023 at 1:40PM UTC

    That's illegal in most places to not permit breaks.

    I'd probably ask point blank WHY my blocked out times are targeted for required meetings or set up auto-decline for those times . . . but I can understand why you might not do that.

    FWIW, my dad's office was very 8-4:30 and when he (the dept director) was interviewing someone who could not take time off without a couple weeks of advance approval (and she basically told him she had serious concerns about her then-boss retaliating or firing her if it was strongly suspected she was interviewing elsewhere) he coordinated an after work time with the other staff member who needed to be present for the interview. IIRC her drive time from the original job led to the interview starting a little after 5, but my dad was interested in her as a candidate and just "made it work" to avoid jeopardizing her job. (She was hired and awesome, BTW).

    In 2014 I took a job that was such a bad fit and so "not as advertised" that I was sending out resumes by day 3, and I had NO sick time for a while, let alone vacation time. I left early one day to interview pretending to be vomiting-level sick, but the job/people I liked better (and ended up working with) actually stayed late to interview me after I left work and made the 40 minute drive.....my interview started at 6-ish that day.

    I'd think with how common video interviews are now, you could arrange that to cut drive time and either do it from your car OR find a nearby place like a library/starbucks to have a better connection with wi-fi.

    Also, there was a running joke with my friends (years ago when formal office/interview attire was more expected) about how I'd changed before or after interviews in almost every public library restroom in my county . . . you sometimes need to get creative.

24. AnonymousDecember 10,2023 at 3:01AM UTC

    Thank you for all for the wonderful feedback! Taking your advice into account while setting up the next rounds!

25. AnonymousDecember 11,2023 at 5:05PM UTC

    I always interview before or after work. I tell the interviewer that I don't want to use my (current) employer's time to be interviewing to leave.

    I've never had anyone object to this. This is even easier now that Zoom interviews have replaced so many face-to-face meetings.